Happy 4th of July

Kelley and Allen are here for the weekend. Jay and I are having fun with them and with Grandpuppy Cosette.

Y'all have a great 4th of July, and I'll see you Tuesday or Wednesday, whenever I recover. lol

Stay tuned.

That Just Makes Me Mad!

You may have seen the ad showing testimonials by a couple of people purporting to be Canadians. They are carping about how terrible the Canadian healthcare system is, even going so far as to say that "Canada doesn't care if people die." As far as I am concerned, that last quote shows how very "American" they are. That kind of hyperbole is something American politicians use all the time, especially when they're trying to pull the wool over our eyes. "The biggest tax increase in history!" "The sky is falling!" etc.

Anyway, these "Canadians" talk about how long people have to wait for emergency surgery, "I had to wait six months (or, a year) and I had terminal cancer. So, I came to the U.S., where the healthcare is the best in the world (more hyperbole). And, on and on. But, you get the picture.

So, would it surprise you to learn that this ad was sponsored by the same group that brought you those Tea Parties? Yes, it did.

Where is the FCC when you need them? Why don't we have any agency who can act as a watchdog for ads full of half truths and outright lies? Is this another result of the widespread de-regulation that came out of the previous administrations?

Is there network executive anywhere who has the balls to look at an ad like this and say, "This doesn't ring true to me. Let's do some research." And, then, when he finds out the truth, will tell them, "We're not going to accept your money and run your ad because it is false advertising." Of course, the networks can only see dollar $igns, so that probably won't happen.

We used to have watchdog groups who surfaced during election campaigns and pointed out the lies and half-truths of the candidates, and their followers. But, they seem to have disappeared, too.

One thing is certain, I think. The healthcare plan our elected officials may not be perfect, and may not completely satisfy everyone, but it will be uniquely "American". We may borrow parts of many plans from other countries, but we will tailor it to our needs. The only thing we have to be concerned about is keeping the insurance companies, the pharmaceuticals, and the AMA from scuttling the whole thing.

Here's my suggestion. When you see an ad on television that you know is untrue, or a gross exaggeration, read the fine print at the bottom of the screen, and see who the sponsors are. Then, raise cain with the television networks for running the ads, and, as always, let your congressmen and senators know about it.

At least, when the dust clears, you can honestly say that you did everything you possibly could to see that we get the kind of healthcare plan we need and deserve.

Stay tuned.

Another One Bites The Dust

(Sung to the tune of "Goin' Courtin'", from "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers":

Going' courtin', Gov'nor Sanford,
Does it set you senses in a whirl?
All the way to Argentina,
Flyin' there to see a girl.

Oh, your heart was burning all last week,
Cried and broke up with her, so to speak,
Now you're sorry you've been "sportin'"
Goin' courtin'.

Governor Mark Sanford, (R. S.C.) sure had the people back home in a swivet last weekend. He dropped out of sight last Thursday and resurfaced Tuesday morning. No one appeared to know where he was, although a loyal staff member gamely tried to float the idea that he might be hiking the Appalachian Trail. And, his wife said she didn't know where he was, and by all accounts, she didn't much give a rip.

He may have thought he was home free until he stepped off the plane in Atlanta and was met by a reporter sporting a big wide smile. Her name was Gina Smith, from a newspaper back home called "The State". Uh. Oh.

What to do? What to do? A hastily called pressed conference was in order, and, in a rambling, sometimes tearful statement, during which he confessed, at length and in painful detail, how he had cheated on his wife with a woman in Argentina. He said he had known the woman for eight years and during that time, they had just been good, good friends, until about a year ago, and he experienced a sudden "spark". He said he had seen her three times in the past year, during that whole sparking thing.

Turns out, the newspaper also had e-mails from him to her and from her back to him. Hearing a dramatic reading of the e-mails by Keith Olberman, to the strains of "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina", made me want to take a shower in boiling water. Talk about purple prose! Ew!

On the other hand, he writes like he talks, which is not much of a compliment. And, in the manner of people who have had a long-term relationship, her e-mails sounded eerily like his.

Mrs. Sanford wasn't having any of that old, "appear with the guy and be the supportive, if devastated, wife" business. She released a short statement saying she had booted him out recently. She's pissed and doesn't care who knows it.

So, now we just pop the popcorn, settle back and watch this whole mess play out.

I can't miss the opportunity to point out that Fox news trashed Governor Sanford all day, and identified him as a Democrat. Wishful thinking?

Stay tuned.

About Healthcare

Since I am so opinionated and proud of it, you may be wondering why I have not been blogging about healthcare. Usually, I don't mind hammering away at a subject about which I am intensely interested. But, to tell the truth, I'm almost afraid to write about the healthcare issue. I'm too busy holding my breath, crossing my fingers and toes and praying that Congress and the Senate won't water it down to practically nothing in order to placate the insurance companies, drug companies and the AMA.

In this particular case, I don't think something will be better than nothing. That's what we usually get when a bill that is supposed to help people doesn't really help at all. Remember how wonderful Medicare Part D was supposed to be? At last, seniors would be able to afford both their medicines AND food. We ended up with a bill that might work six months out of the year, and the other six months, there's that abomination they whimsically called the "donut hole", whereby we have to pay the entire cost PLUS keep on paying the premiums.

Folks, we simply have to have a public option as well as the private plans. If we don't, there isn't any point in having healthcare reform. What we'll end up with is a law requiring everyone to carry health insurance from a private source the way we are required to carry auto insurance. There will still be millions of people who can't afford it and they will be breaking the law, to boot.

So, I'm going to continue to watch closely and see how thing go, and if the bill they submit doesn't contain the points that I want to see, I'm going to make a real nuisance of myself with a barrage of e-mails, tweets, blogs and snail mail to my state representatives and senators (and a few in some other states). In Arkansas, almost all of our congressmen and senators are Democrats, but I'll still make my voice known. I doubt I can do much good writing to John Boozman, our lone Republican, but I'll try. And Senator Blanche Lincoln, who is a Democrat in name only, having been bought and paid for by Walmart and a few other big corporations, will be a hard nut to crack, but I'll include her if only for the pleasure of annoying her.

I'm realistic enough to know that a single-payer plan will never go over, although it is what I would like to see, but I think healthcare reform with a public option and doing away altogether with that donut hole should be doable.

So limber up those arthritic fingers, seniors, and get ready to inundate your congressmen and senators with your opinions. Don't be shy. Don't hold back. Go get 'em! And, write to Obama. What could it hurt?

This is not my final word on this subject. But, you know that, don't you?

Stay tuned.

Have We Missed Anybody?

Here we go, again, with the apologies. This time it comes from the U.S. Senate, whose members have nothing better to do. They are apologizing, this time, for slavery, segregation and the Jim Crow laws.

Maybe next week, we'll apologize to the American Indians for the Trail of Tears and Wounded Knee.

Then, probably we need to beg forgiveness for rounding up Japanese-Americans during WWII and putting them in interment (relocation) camps.

And, will the North apologize to the South for the carpetbaggers and the South to the North for Andersonville?

Don't we need to apologize to all the legal immigrants from Mexico, and elsewhere, for lumping them in with the illegals?

Shouldn't we sincerely apologize to everyone we allowed Senator Joe McCarthy to ruin by accusing them of being Commies, with no proof?

How about the Mafia? We've said some pretty rough things to and about Italian-Americans in our day, particularly that nice Michael Corleone.

Furthermore, we can't forget the "Lace Curtain Irish", when they came over here and became our housemaids, chauffeurs, and politicians. Why, if it hadn't been for Joseph Kennedy, prohibition would have been a lot worse, you betcha.

We've certainly insulted our neighbors to the North, snickering about the Canadians' quirky senses of humor, eh?

We can even go international, and extend a sincere apology to the French for all those cracks about "Freedom Fries". Or, maybe not.

Stay tuned.

OK, OK, Mea Culpa, Already

I have resolved a couple of times in the past to stop blogging about Sarah Palin, but I take it all back. She is the gift that keeps on giving - kinda like herpes.

Sarah finally harrangued a sincere apology out of David Letterman, which aired last night. She accepted, but it's not over, folks. She said, " Of course, I accept his apology", which is all she needed to say. Over. Done with. Move on. But, no, she went on (and on and on) to say that she "accepted for all young girls"..... and then made some weird, disjointed statement about Letterman's right to free speech...."He can say anything he wants, of course. This is what our brave troops are fighting to uphold", etc., etc., etc.

The fact that Sara Palin and her family accepted David Letterman's apology isn't and never will be enough for some, especially the newly formed website "Fire David Letterman dot com", to which I won't link because it would only encourage them.

This is a website dedicated to the ruination of one aging comic with a long history of telling tasteless jokes, as admittedly these were. And, yes, he was right to apologize. But, it seems to me that he also needs to apologize to Eliot Spitzer and Alex Rodriguez, by the way. They're too busy to demand an apology, I guess, but they may yet get around to it some time this week.

So, with the wingnuts in full cry, Sarah can afford to be gracious.

On the Republican front, where is all the outrage over the comment of a politician in South Carolina? Have you heard about it? Seems a gorilla escaped from a South Carolina zoo, and this jerk said "Not to worry. The gorilla's not dangerous. It's probably just one of Michelle's (Obama) relatives. " Ba-da-bum!

Talk about a tasteless joke. But, I suppose since he was making the joke at the expense of a grown-up, it's ok. But, wait. Let's take this joke to its logical extent. If he thinks the gorilla is a relative of Michelle's, then, it must also be related to Michelle's young daughters. Of course, it would.

So, since Michelle is busy elsewhere, I am picking up the torch of outrage on her behalf and on behalf of her daughters. Don't bother to apologize to me, dude. I won't accept it.

Stay tuned.

Never a Joiner

I have never been a "club woman", unlike so many women in this town. I have a friend who never met a club she didn't join. She is kept busy seven days a week with all her good works. I don't know how she ever manages to read a book for her book club or paint a picture for the Art League.

Maybe I'm not a joiner because I'm just stingy. All the women's clubs I have been asked to join seem to feed on themselves. The first order of business is a collection of some kind. Or, something they want you to buy to help fill their coffers so they can go forth and do good in the community.

I do, however, join clubs such as "The Mystery Guild" and "The Doubleday Book Club". All they want me to do is buy their books. And, they'll give me all kinds of good deals. And, if I decide to resign my membership, they will wait a few months and then beg me to come back. Sort of like Mr. Broom, in that Swiffer commercial. They love me, they miss me, I'm one of their "preferred customers", they'll give me 6 free books (shipping not included) if I'll only come back and agree to buy three or four more in the next two years. Such a deal!

However, this time was a bit different. I notified the Mystery Guild to cancel my membership and they did, BUT..... They want to continue to send me catalogs. And, I am a member of their "Freedom Plan" . This plan is supposed to be sooooooooo much easier than the regular plan.

OK, let's see, now. Let's do a quick comparison.

The regular plan:

They send me a catalog about every six weeks.
I get a discount on all the books I buy.
I have to send the featured selections card back, after checking the send or don't sent box. If I forget to send the card back, they'll automatically send me the featured selections, and charge my account.

The Freedom Plan:

They'll send me a catalog about every six weeks.
I get a discount on all the books I buy.
There are no cards to return and no automatic shipments or deadlines.

If I don't want to participate in the Freedom Plan, I have to again write or call, requesting that they let me go. No more catalogs, no more cards, no more automatic shipments, etc.

If I don't do anything, I will receive the catalogs, but if I don't buy any books within the next six months, they will discontinue my participation in the plan. It is unclear whether I can stay on this plan indefinitely as long as I buy a book once every six months, but I'll bet not.

They go on to say that if I decide to "rejoin the club" , they will discontinue my participation in the Freedom Plan. This means, I presume, that I will go on having to return cards and meet deadlines, etc., like before. This is not a very good deal, in my humble opinion.

To tell the truth, I don't buy many hardbound books any more - usually just enough to meet the book club requirements. So why stay in the club? Well, because it is an easy way to find out about the new books coming out by my favorite authors, and maybe find some interesting new authors. It's like I'm keeping my finger on the pulse of the industry, or so I tell myself. Actually, I like to read ABOUT books almost as much as I like reading the books themselves. I'm quirky that way.

So, I'll keep on letting them send me catalogs for six months, and maybe by this time next year, after my Freedom plan has long run out, they will offer me the deal I'm really looking for. Six free books and a bonus book or tote bag, if I'll agree to buy three or four...........

Stay tuned.